SSDs, or solid state drives, store data differently than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Unlike HDDs, which store data on magnetic platters, SSDs use flash memory chips to store data. The lack of moving parts makes SSDs faster and more durable than HDDs. However, it also makes data recovery more difficult if files are deleted or corrupted.
When data is stored on an SSD, the actual location of data bits can change frequently through a process called wear leveling. This helps extend the lifespan of the SSD. But it also means that when files are deleted, the OS simply marks the space they occupied as free space for new data – the original data may still exist in fragmented form across the drive. Special techniques are required to recover that original data.
Why Data Recovery is Difficult on SSDs
SSDs, or solid state drives, handle data differently than traditional hard disk drives, making data recovery more complex. SSDs have functions like wear-leveling and TRIM that actively erase deleted data so it cannot be recovered (1).
Wear-leveling spreads out writes across all the cells in the SSD to improve performance and lifespan. This means data gets moved around frequently, so deleted files may get written over (2). TRIM tells the SSD which blocks are no longer needed and can be erased during idle time (3). So between wear-leveling shuffling data around, and TRIM actively clearing unused blocks, deleted files tend to get permanently erased on SSDs.
Sources:
(1) https://www.datarecovery.net/articles/ssd-wear-leveling-and-data-recovery.aspx
(2) https://www.crucial.com/articles/about-ssd/what-is-trim
(3) https://www.makeuseof.com/what-is-ssd-wear-leveling/
Determine If Your Data Can Be Recovered
The recoverability of data from SSDs depends greatly on whether the drive was securely erased or encrypted before becoming unresponsive. If a standard format or delete command was used, data recovery is often possible even from a dead SSD.
However, if the SSD was encrypted or underwent a secure erase, the encryption keys and original data are irreversibly removed, making recovery extremely difficult to impossible. Some signs that point to unrecoverable data include:
- Using BitLocker or other full disk encryption on the SSD
- Performing a secure erase process like using Parted Magic
- Enabling the SSD’s built-in hardware encryption
You can check if encryption was enabled in the system BIOS. If no encryption was used, then there is still hope for DIY recovery using software tools. But with full encryption, retrieving the data requires assistance from a professional recovery lab – and even then, success is not guaranteed.
Try Recovery Software
Before exploring more advanced recovery methods, it’s worth trying software solutions first. Data recovery software is designed to scan drives and restore deleted files. Look for top-rated, reliable options that specialize in SSD data recovery.
Software to consider includes:
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Disk Drill – Well-reviewed recovery app with deep scan features to restore SSD data. Can preview files before recovery.
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R-Studio – Powerful cross-platform data recovery with support for lost partition recovery.
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EaseUS – User-friendly interface and robust scanning of storage devices. Free version available.
Run the software scan first using quick/fast scan mode. If unable to find files, run a deep scan which will do a more thorough search of the SSD. Deep scans can take hours to run but may find more data.
Recovery software looks for intact copies of files that have not been permanently overwritten. This has the best chance of restoring recently deleted files and folders that were lost due to accidental deletion, formatting, OS issues, etc. But overwritten data may be unrecoverable.
Remove SSD and Use Specialist
If you have exhausted all options for recovering data yourself and the files are valuable enough to warrant professional help, consider using a data recovery service as a last resort. Reputable companies like 300 Dollar Data Recovery and Blizzard Data Recovery specialize in recovering data even from SSDs with advanced techniques and tools.
To use a professional data recovery service:
- Remove the SSD from the computer and safely package it to avoid further damage.
- Research and select a reputable recovery company with expertise in SSD data recovery.
- Get an estimate for service costs, which can range from $100-500 per SSD depending on capacity and complexity.
- Ship the SSD to the recovery facility using insured delivery.
- Allow 1-2 weeks for recovery work and return shipping.
Professional data recovery maximizes the chances of retrieving critical files from a wiped SSD. While costs can add up for large drives, this path is sometimes the only option left when DIY software has failed.
Restore from Backup
Having a comprehensive backup system is the most critical strategy for avoiding issues with recovering lost or wiped data. As the sources emphasize, following best practices like the 3-2-1 backup rule (3 copies, 2 local and 1 offsite) and testing your backups regularly is fundamental to any data protection plan.
If you have maintained current backups of your SSD according to recommended guidelines, you may be able to quickly restore your lost data from a backup after accidentally wiping your SSD. Quality backup software like Backblaze makes it easy to restore files and folders, or clone an entire drive backup to a new SSD.
Because data recovery on SSDs is difficult and often unsuccessful, comprehensive backups are essential insurance against disasters like accidental wipes or failures. As the source from Drivesavers emphasizes, regularly backing up important data is one of the best practices any PC or Mac user should follow.
Avoid Future Data Loss
There are several steps you can take to help prevent future data loss on your SSD:
Use disk encryption – Encrypting your SSD can add an extra layer of protection in case it is lost or stolen. Popular encryption tools include BitLocker for Windows and FileVault for macOS. Just be sure to remember your encryption password or keep it stored safely as a backup.
Regular backups – Doing regular backups to an external drive or cloud storage ensures you have copies of your data in case of SSD failure or accidental deletion. The 3-2-1 backup rule recommends keeping 3 copies of data, on 2 different media, with 1 copy offsite.
SSD monitoring tools – There are utilities like SSDLife that can monitor the health of an SSD and predict potential failures. Keep an eye out for high bad block counts or unusually high wear. Replace aging SSDs proactively.
Handle SSDs carefully – Dropping or jolting an SSD while powered on can cause internal data corruption. Always eject and power down SSDs before transporting them.
Avoid fully filling the SSD – It’s ideal to keep 10-20% free space on an SSD. Too little space can negatively impact performance and lifespan.
Control OS writes – Some OS settings like hibernation generate excessive writes which can wear out SSDs prematurely. Tweak settings related to virtual memory, system restore and indexing.
By taking some basic precautions, you can minimize the chances of catastrophic SSD failure or data loss.
Data Recovery on External SSDs
Recovering data from external SSDs can be more difficult than internal SSDs for a few reasons:
External SSDs often use proprietary firmware and controllers which makes it harder for recovery software to interface with the drive. The USB bridge chip that allows the SSD to connect via USB also provides an additional layer of complexity.
Due to their portable nature, external SSDs are more prone to physical damage from drops or impacts which can make recovery much more difficult. The small form factors of many external SSDs also make them harder to disassemble for advanced recovery methods.
If the external SSD enclosure itself is damaged but the drive inside is intact, removing the drive and connecting it directly via SATA may allow recovery software to interface with it. But this requires disassembling the enclosure which carries risk of further damage.
Recovering data from an external SSD on Windows or Mac utilizes the same software and techniques as internal SSDs. But the external interfaces and proprietary components add extra challenges. Consulting a data recovery specialist is highly recommended if DIY recovery attempts are unsuccessful.
For more details on approaches for external SSD recovery, see this Reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/datarecovery/comments/1526r1a/recovering_data_from_external_ssd/
Recovering Specific File Types
When it comes to recovering files from an SSD, certain file types like documents, photos, videos, and music can be easier to recover than others. This is because they are more prevalent file types that recovery software is designed to scan for.
For recovering lost Microsoft Word documents, tools like Wondershare Recoverit can scan SSDs and find Word files that have been accidentally deleted. You can also try going to the AutoRecover folder in Word to find unsaved draft versions of documents. For Mac users, the AutoRecovery folder can help retrieve unsaved Word files.
Photos and videos have the best chances of being recovered if you don’t overwrite the SSD space they were stored on. Software like Stellar Photo Recovery can resurrect photo and video files, even if you’ve formatted the SSD.
Recovering audio files like MP3s or WAV files is possible too. Software like iSkysoft Data Recovery can dig deep to find lost music and audio files on SSDs and hard drives.
The key is to avoid writing new data to the SSD that could overwrite your deleted files. Once you stop using the SSD, recovery software has a better chance of finding your lost media and documents.
Closing Summary
As we’ve discussed, recovering lost data from SSDs can be challenging, but is often possible through various methods. The key steps include:
- Determining if your data is recoverable – depending on the type of data loss, you may be able to get your files back.
- Trying recovery software designed for SSDs – specialized software can sometimes recover deleted files.
- Removing the SSD and using a specialist – for more complex cases, you may need professional data recovery services.
- Restoring from backup – having a regular backup allows you to recover your data if the SSD fails.
While SSDs make data recovery difficult, taking preventative measures like backups can help avoid permanent data loss. With the right approach and tools, recovering wiped data from SSDs is often achievable.